QUICK NEWS, May 19: MORE GROWTH IN NEW ENERGY; FORD-GOOGLE SMARTEST CAR; SUN GIANT SUNPOWER’S Q1; KANSAS WIND TO PROTECT GRASSES

MORE GROWTH IN NEW ENERGY
Global public cleantech companies see strong growth; Net incomes in specialized cleantech companies more than double
10 May 2011 (Ernst & Young)

"The aggregate net income of public specialized cleantech companies worldwide grew 126% to US$5.1b between 2009-2010, according to a new report by Ernst & Young.

"…Seizing transformational opportunities: Global cleantech insights and trends report 2011 features the organization’s first annual report on the population and performance of ‘pure-play’ cleantech companies. The number of companies also grew over 9% between 2009 and 2010 to 399 organizations while their combined market capitalization grew 27% to US$243.2b."

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"On several key measures the tracked companies showed strong growth despite challenging economic conditions. Total revenues over the 12 months to the end of September 2010 reached US$152.8b, an increase of 21% from the same period in 2009. Total market capitalization increased 27%, 7% due to same-company annual growth and 20% due to the addition of new public companies. The companies have a median ‘time since incorporation’ of just 13 years, yet employ nearly 500,000 individuals…

"The Asia-Pacific region hosts the largest number of companies (149), whose revenue grew 44% between 2009 and 2010. Asia-Pacific companies have the highest median headcount per company (400 employees) reflecting the region’s low-cost manufacturing workforce. China accounts for the greatest share of the Asia-Pacific company population, home to 52 companies with an aggregate headcount of 133,200 and a combined market capitalization of US$60.1b—the highest market value of any country."

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"Europe is the leader in terms of cleantech company revenues which reached US$72.8b in 2010. The region is the second-largest in terms of the number of companies (128), headcount (156,700) and market capitalization (US$85.5b). With 44 public cleantech companies, Germany is the regional leader in terms of the number of companies; Spain is the regional leader in terms of cleantech company market capitalization, with an aggregate value of US$20.3b.

"With 117 public cleantech companies, North America is third-largest in terms of population. Regional revenues were US$23.2b in 2010, an annual increase of 34%. The United States is home to largest number of cleantech companies (73) globally with a total market capitalization of US$45.1b…"


FORD-GOOGLE SMARTEST CAR
Ford Developers Look to Use Google Prediction API to Optimize Energy Efficiency; Research Presented at Google I/O
May 10, 2011 (PR Newswire via Yahoo News)

"…Ford researchers are harnessing the power of cloud computing, analytics and Google innovation to identify technologies that could make tomorrow’s vehicles smart enough to independently change how they perform to deliver optimal driveability and fuel efficiency.

"Ford researchers are applying Google’s Prediction API to more than two years of their own predictive driver behavior research and analysis. The Google API can convert information such as historical driving data – where a driver has traveled and at what time of day for example – into useful real-time predictions, such as where a driver is headed at the time of departure…"

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"Ford is hoping to use these types of cloud-stored data to enable a vehicle essentially to optimize itself and perform in the best manner determined by a predicted route…After a vehicle owner opts in to use the service, an encrypted driver data usage profile is built based on routes and time of travel. In essence, the system learns key information about how the driver is using the vehicle

"…Upon starting the vehicle, Google Prediction will use historical driving behavior to evaluate given the current time of day and location to develop a prediction of the most likely destination and how to optimize driving performance to and from that location…An on-board computer might say, “Good morning, are you going to work?” If the driver is in fact going to work, the response would be, “Yes,” and then an optimized powertrain control strategy would be created for the trip…[A] plug-in hybrid could program itself to optimize energy usage over the total distance of the route in order to preserve enough battery power…"

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"Because of the large amount of computing power necessary to make the predictions and optimizations, an off-board system that connects through the cloud is currently necessary…Ford researchers are committed to increasing their understanding of driver behavior behind the wheel and to developing accurate protocols to predict it…

"The Google Prediction API is one example of a technology that is helping Ford open doors to new predictive possibilities powered by the cloud…Helping drivers comply with regulations could be [another]…[A vehicle] could optimize itself in a way to comply with regulations…, such as switching the engine to all-electric mode…Work is now underway to study the feasibility of incorporating other variables such as driver style and habits into the optimization process so Ford can further optimize vehicle control systems, allowing car and driver to work together to maximize energy efficiency…"


SUN GIANT SUNPOWER’S Q1
SunPower Reports First-Quarter 2011 Results
May 12, 2011 (PR Newswire via SunPower)

"SunPower Corp. (NASDAQ: SPWRA, SPWRB)…announced financial results for its 2011 first quarter ended April 3, 2011…"

[Tom Werner, President/CEO, SunPower:] "We met our margin and bottom line financial goals in the first quarter by adjusting our downstream channels and operating expenses…Our revenue was lower than plan as a result of changing market conditions in Europe. Operationally, we exceeded our manufacturing cost reduction targets for the quarter and remain on plan to achieve our efficiency adjusted panel cost per watt target of $1.08 in the fourth quarter of this year. Execution on the Fab 3 ramp continues to surpass our internal forecasts as yields and equipment efficiency again reached record levels…"

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"…[K]ey milestones achieved by the company since the fourth quarter of 2010 include…$1.2 billion U.S. Department of Energy loan guarantee conditional commitment and final county permit approval awarded for 250 megawatt (MW) California Valley Solar Ranch…19-MW Alamosa power plant for Xcel Energy completed — largest solar power plant in Colo…11-MW rooftop contract awarded by Tucson Electric Power…48-MW supply agreement signed with Toshiba…75-MW per year Silicon Valley solar panel manufacturing facility dedicated…Surpassed 1,600 partners in global dealer network in Q1 2011..."

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[Tom Werner, President/CEO, SunPower:] "We were also pleased to recently announce Total's transformational investment in SunPower…With Total's $1 billion credit support agreement, solar research and development investments and other resources available through its global network, we will be taking the next step…[It] will improve our capital structure enabling SunPower to accelerate our power plant and commercial development businesses, and expand our manufacturing capacity with lower cash requirements."

"For the second quarter of 2011, the company expects revenue to be in the range of $500 to $550 million and MW recognized to be in the 160 to 190 MW range. For fiscal year 2011, the company expects MW recognized to be consistent with previous guidance of 825 to 920 MW…"


KANSAS WIND TO PROTECT GRASSES
Road Map For Wind Energy Policy Designates 'Tallgrass Heartland'
11 May 2011 (North American Windpower)

"A tallgrass prairie area in the Flint Hills in Kansas will be protected from commercial wind development, according to the state's new Road Map for Wind Energy Policy.

"Gov. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., [said] the extreme rarity of the tallgrass prairie located in the Flint Hills calls for extraordinary care and attention…"

The Smoky Hills windfarm in Kansas' tallgrass country. From spoonyfork via YouTube

"Brownback added that the ‘Tallgrass Heartland’ designation will not prohibit the construction of necessary electric transmission improvements. In addition, wind projects that currently have power purchases agreements (PPAs) within protected areas will not be affected; however, these projects will not be allowed to expand…Westar Energy owns two wind farms in the state and has PPAs with several others.

"The plan is expected to encourage commercial wind energy development as well as projects that expand transmission lines in the state, such as the KETA project and the Y-Plan and a direct-current line."